Mmolawa unfazed after heavy loss to Mmolotsi
Botswana Alliance for Progressives (AP) activist and former Emang Basadi Chairperson, Theresa Mmolawa, believes that despite her heavy defeat at the hands of party Vice President Wynter Mmolotsi, she has every right to walk with her head held high.
The fiery politician dared to tread where very few would, challenging a political heavyweight in Mmolotsi. As many had predicted, she got her fingers burnt, losing by a wide margin of 80 votes to 550.
“Not really. I never thought I’d get 80 votes. In fact, I was certain I’d only get a little over 10 votes. But this was never about the results,” Mmolawa said in an interview with The Voice.
She described her candidacy as a leap of faith, a demonstration that there’s nothing wrong with challenging those in higher positions within political movements.
“Women, and even some men, are afraid to contest certain positions. If you observe closely, it seems women in politics are only deemed suitable for lower positions within central committees. That mindset has to change,” she said.
Mmolawa lamented the normalization of patriarchy in politics, saying many women have come to accept their fate as mere office bearers in junior roles.
“I knew it wouldn’t be easy. These guys have been in those positions for too long without challenge. No one approached me,” she said.
“I made the decision myself. It was a leap of faith because this is what I preached at Emang Basadi. If I don’t lead by example, who will?” she asked.
“I told myself that no matter what people would say, it had to be done. And with those 80 votes, I felt like the biggest winner and express my sincere thanks to the people who believed and voted for me,” Mmolawa said.
She said she wanted to inspire other women and young men too who face the same challenges.
The seasoned activist emphasized that women have to work even harder to enter political office, often facing resistance from both men and fellow women.
“I was booed during my presentation by fellow women. And my only ‘crime’ was challenging someone they believed should not be challenged,” she said.
“Every two years we elect a central committee, and yet the same people keep coming back. That’s regressive. It creates a sense of entitlement, and eventually, it breeds dictatorship,” Mmolawa warned.
She urged leaders to make it a habit to step aside and allow others to lead seeing it as a vital part of leadership development and the long-term growth of any political movement.
Despite the heavy loss, Mmolawa insists she’s far from done with politics.
“I’m studying the current political climate. I’ll probably focus on mentoring young women and men encouraging them to claim their space in the country’s political landscape,” she said.
